Is Pogacar Rider of the Century? Lifting praise from all angles to a higher level, the intractable himself responds

“The teamwork went almost unexpectedly. It feels great to win after we went to the wall with a group of seventy riders,” was Pogacar’s first reaction after winning the Walloon Arrow. With all his exploits in mind at the age of 24, the record hunt seems to be on.

“I don’t know the stats very well,” the brilliant ad designer on the UA team is silent about this. “It would be great to win all three Ardennes classics. Sunday is the biggest race of the three. Experience plays a key role.”

learned from the past

Pogacar says he has fared much better in terms of positioning in the Walloon round and stock this year. Lessons from the past have helped, and not just these. “It helped that everyone looked at me, because it gave us room to move through the peloton and get into a good position.”

This wasn’t often the case in the Vlaanderens Mooiste. “Last year I was fourth in the Tour of Flanders and had great legs. I didn’t realize how good I was then. This year I’m trying to do everything right. I was also lucky to get past six half-hours without any bad luck. All Puzzle pieces have to fit together.”

Satisfying

This is what happened at Ronde, Amstel, and the Walloon Arrow. “I am grateful for that.” And what is his opinion of the comments of Skgelmus, whom he calls the “Rider of the Century”. “He can say that now, but every race is closer to his form. If he beats me on Sunday, he’ll be the second-best rider of the century.”

flirting around BoogieHowever, this does not preclude his adoration from rising to unprecedented heights. “I feel respected by others in the peloton. I also want other riders to respect me. That’s how it should be in cycling.”